The entire ceremony should be kept to 30 to 45 minutes. The Speech is read about the individual. At the end of the speech, the Sweet Sixteen asks the person to come up and to join in lighting the candles. The DJ plays music as they walk up. They switch the microphone with the candle. The Sweet Sixteen and the honoree light the candle together.
What is a Sweet 16 candle ceremony?
During a Sweet 16 candle ceremony, the person whose birthday is being celebrated lights each candle on the cake individually, to represent certain important people in her life. Generally, only girls have Sweet 16 birthday parties.
What happens at a Sweet 16 birthday party?
The candle ceremony is a big part of any sweet 16 birthday party, and it's often one of the highest points of the event after dinner and cake. It's at this moment when the birthday girl shares her feelings about the most important people in her life as she lights a candle for each of them.
How many candles should a Sweet 16 girl have for her birthday?
The next eight candles are devoted to her friends, and she can say something special about each one of them and perhaps a special time they shared together.These friends are also often included in the sweet 16 girl's "court" if she has decided to make that part of her celebration. The 15th candle should be reserved for her best friend (s) of all.
What are the traditions of a 16 year old girl?
List of Sweet 16 Birthday Traditions. 1 Shoe and Crowning Ceremony. The girl of honor walks with her date wearing a pair of slippers or flat shoes. The tiara and shoes are brought out by her ... 2 Father and Daughter Dance. 3 Candle Ceremony.
What order do sweet 16 candles go in?
Candle-lighting ceremonyThe first candle is for the girl's parents.The second candle is for the siblings. ... Candles 3, 4, 5 and 6 are for the rest of the family members.Candles 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 are for friends.Candle 15 is for the girl's best friend or friends.More items...
Who do you give candles to at a sweet 16?
Who to Honor with Your Sweet 16 CandlesYour Sweet Sixteen is one of the most exciting nights of your young life. ... Traditionally, your first candle is dedicated to your parents or legal guardians. ... Your second candle is often reserved for your siblings. ... These candles are typically reserved for members of your family.More items...•
What happens at a traditional sweet 16?
While both young men and young women celebrate their Sweet 16 today, sweet 16 traditions such as the candle ceremony, father-daughter dance, passing of heirlooms and the shoe ceremony are typically reserved for young women.
What is the candle-lighting ceremony?
The candle-lighting ceremony usually involves the couple lighting one large candle from two smaller family candles. Traditionally, the smaller candles are lit by each of their mothers, representing the merging of two families.
How long should a sweet 16 party last?
If planning a full, sit down meal plan for three to four hours to allow all guests to eat and enjoy the party. If you're going for snacks and light refreshments, two hours should suffice. Family Traditions Want to bring some of your family's Greek heritage into the evening?
Why is the sweet 16 so important?
Sensational 16 For many American youths, 16 is probably the most important birthday they'll celebrate before they reach legal adulthood. At 16, a young person can get a driver's license and a job—and, more importantly, they can enjoy the freedom and be expected to cope with the responsibilities that come with both.
What does the 16 candles mean?
The fifteenth candle is for the best friend and the last candle, the sixteenth, is meant for a boyfriend or significant other. Some traditions place a seventeenth candle for good luck. One of the other sweet 16 birthday celebrations is the show ceremony.
What do you bring to a candle lighting?
Consider a few of these ideas:Ask guests to dress in glow-in-the-dark clothing and hand out glow sticks.Incorporate paper lanterns or light-up balloons and release them as a group.Play spiritual music or personal favorites of the person you're honoring.More items...•
Do you play music during unity candle ceremony?
Do you play music during a unity candle ceremony. You can choose to personalise the Unity Candle Ceremony as much as you wish, including by having music played in the background.
How do candlelight vigils work?
A candlelight vigil or candlelit vigil is an outdoor assembly of people carrying candles, held after sunset in order to show support for a specific cause. Such events are typically held either to protest the suffering of some marginalized group of people, or in memory of the dead.
What does the sweet 16 court do?
The idea of a Sweet 16 court is to recognize some of your closest friends as you celebrate a big milestone birthday. Shopping for Sweet 16 court dresses is a ton of fun! But before you start saving dresses and popping them into your cart (right here on Prom Girl of course!), there are a few factors to consider.
What's the difference between a Quinceañera and a sweet 16?
Obviously, the biggest one is age – a quinceanera is a celebration for a girl who is turning 15, while a sweet 16 party is simply a huge birthday bash for a young lady turning 16. Each type of party is extravagant, memorable and elaborate, but both definitely have a diverse set of differences you should be aware of.
What do you need at a sweet 16?
Planning the EventPick a Theme. Take time to talk to the birthday girl/boy about the theme that they want for their event. ... Set the Date and Time. Depending on the chosen theme, set the date and time of the event. ... Choose the Venue. ... Create a Guest List. ... Send Invitations. ... Choose a Menu. ... Plan the Entertainment.
Do sweet 16 have Chambelanes?
Quinceañeras are also known for having a court of damas and chambelanes, representing fourteen years of the girl's life. Sweet Sixteen's also have a set of traditions including a candle lighting ceremony, where a loved one lights fifteen candles.
What is the 7th to 14th candle?
The seventh to 14th candles are dedicated to the birthday girl's closest friends outside of family.
Who is the second candle for?
The second candle may be for the next-closest family, such as brothers, sisters, grandmothers or grandfathers.
Why do people light candles on their birthday cake?
During a Sweet 16 candle ceremony, the person whose birthday is being celebrated lights each candle on the cake individually, to represent certain important people in her life. Generally, only girls have Sweet 16 birthday parties.
What does a birthday girl do?
The birthday girl usually makes a speech or shows her appreciation of the most important and influential people in her life, telling stories or specifically thanking the honorees for being especially kind or thoughtful on particular occasions. Guests often take photos at this time.
What is the Sweet 16 candle ceremony?
Sweet 16 Candle Lighting Honoree Order. One of the most important parts of a young lady's Sweet 16 is her candle ceremony. Despite it's importance, it does not have to be the most stressful part of planning. The task of assigning family and friends to each of 16 candles may seem like a monumental feat, but once you start ...
How long does it take to light a candle?
The total ceremony takes about 15-20 minutes.
Who lights the memory candle for a deceased relative?
The guest of honor may light a memory candle for deceased relative (s). Typically, this is announced by the Guest of Honor, and is done either before the first candle is announced, or before the parents' candle is announced.
What is the Sweet 16 ceremony?
In some Sweet 16 ceremonies, the parents walk the teen down the church aisle as she is presented to the congregation. In other cases, she may already be sitting up front with her family. Ceremonies may also include candle-lighting, singing of special hymns or songs and blessing of the birthday honoree.
What is a sweet sixteen?
Having a Sweet Sixteen church ceremony is a rite of passage for some. Turning 16 often involves rites of passage. Young people turning 16 may throw large parties with fancy attire and decorations. There's an alternative to this type of gathering that practicing Christians may prefer.
How to pray for a birthday teen?
Some churches may have a predetermined prayer for the occasion. Other options may include having the birthday teen write her own prayer or choose one from a book. This type of prayer may give thanks for the life of the teen, ask for guidance and grace throughout her life or serve as a general blessing. It may be read out loud by the congregation, the teen or the pastor.
Can you run through the sanctuary before a wedding?
Arrange a rehearsal time if possible. Even if the officiant isn't available, you may be able to run through parts of the ceremony when the sanctuary is free. This can help to alleviate nervousness before the actual ceremony.
What is the candle ceremony?
The candle ceremony is a chance for the girl of honor to give recognition to the people she loves.
How many candles are lit for a father and daughter dance?
Following the father and daughter dance is the candle ceremony. For this ceremony, sixteen candles are lit. Each candles stands for someone in particular who has had an impact on the girl. She can announce who each person is and talk about what they represent in her life. The first candle is usually for parents, the second for siblings or grandparents, candles three to six usually stand for family members, candles seven through 14 are friends, candle 15 is a best friend, and the last candle is a boyfriend or a best friend. Some traditions have a 17th candle for good luck. Once the candle ceremony is finished, "Happy Birthday" is sung, and the party officially begins.
What do father and daughter dance together?
Father and Daughter Dance. Before the festivities begin, the father and daughter must share a dance together. First, the father will present her to the guests. He can give a speech before they dance, where he talks about how proud he is of her or reflects on his memories of her. He can also simply show her to the crowd.
What do girls of honor wear?
The girl of honor walks with her date wearing a pair of slippers or flat shoes. The tiara and shoes are brought out by her father and another significant male such as an uncle, godfather or grandfather. She sits in a chair and her father takes off her slippers and puts on her new shoes, which are typically a pair of heels. More recently, people have started to change from sneakers into heels. After putting on the shoes, the father puts her tiara onto the crown of her head.
What is the candle for Sweet 16?
Candle 15 is for the girl’s best friend or friends. The 16th candle is for the boyfriend or a very close male friend. Some add a 17th candle which represents good luck. Shoe ceremony. For females the shoe ceremony is common at sweet sixteen parties.
What does each candle in a candlelight ceremony mean?
Candle-lighting ceremony. - Each of the 16 candles holds a special meaning…. The first candle is for the girl’s parents. The second candle is for the siblings. (If there are no siblings, then this candle can represent. the grandparents.) Candles 3, 4, 5 and 6 are for the rest of the family members.
What is the father daughter dance?
Father-daughter dance. The father-daughter dance is a tradition that is also frequently performed at weddings. The girl and her father dance to a slow-jazz or traditional song while everyone sits and watches. This is usually the first song of the night.
What is the symbolism of a girl transitioning into a woman?
The girl would traditionally be wearing flat shoes, such as slippers, and the father ceremoniously helps her into her new high heels. This is symbolic of the girl transitioning into a woman. Tiara ceremony. This ceremony is similar to the shoe ceremony, except the mother approaches with a tiara instead of shoes.